Director and screenwriter Takashi Yamazaki returns to the nostalgic world of Tokyo in the Fifties in this sequel to his successful comedy-drama Always: Sunset on Third Street. Would-be writer Ryunosuke Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) is still living across the street from Norifumi Suzuki (Shinichi Tsutsumi) and his auto repair shop, though now he shares his home with Junnosuke (Kenta Suga), an orphan he's taken under his wing at the urging of pretty Hiroi (Koyuki), who continues to manage a nearby tavern. Chagawa dreams of publishing a successful novel and settling down with Hiroi and Junnosuke, but his day job running the candy store keeps him busy, and Hiroi mistakes his tight schedule for a lack of interest in her. Hiroi has also embarked on a secret career as a burlesque dancer, which isn't doing much to improve her opinion of men. At the Suzuki household, seven-year-old Ippei (Kazuki Koshimizu) isn't happy to be sharing the house with a guest, his distant cousin Mika (Ayame Koike) who is the same age but far more demanding. Mutsuko (Maki Horikita), the apprentice female auto mechanic, is still staying with the Suzukis, and she's becomes the object of the affections of Takeo (Yosuke Asari), a downbeat young man who is studying cooking. Amidst the bustling activity in both households, Chagawa is trying to finish a short story for a literary contest he hopes will open new doors for him, and everyone around him seems to have advice on what he ought to be writing.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide